Planning constraints

Most planning constraints (circumstances which could affect your property) are shown on the Local Plan proposal map. Designations including flood plain or Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are linked to policies which explain in detail what impact they could have.

Most of the constraints are shown on our interactive proposals map. By clicking on the relevant "constraint" in the map key, appropriate policy information on how this would affect planning proposals relating to your property is available.

View the Adopted Local Plan to 2011 and Local Plan proposals maps

You can also find out how planning constraints may affect your property by phoning our customer service centre on 01494 461 000.

Flood risk

The Flood Plain is shown on our interactive proposals map. For more information regarding flood risk and how this affects your property go to the Environment Agency web site (see link at bottom of page). Flood risk Standing Advice has been revised to take account of the Government's new policy on development and flood risk. The revised version of Standing Advice can be viewed at the Piper Networking website (see link at bottom of page).

Contaminated land

For information about contaminated land and how this affects your property go to the Environment Agency website (see link at bottom of page). More about contaminated land

Tree Preservation Orders

Find out about Tree Preservation Orders.

Conservation areas

The location of all conservation areas are shown on the interactive local proposals map. More about conservation areas.

River Wye Corridor

Revive the Wye Project Review 2010 (PDF | 1.2MB)

This note sets out aims and objectives for the conservation and enhancement of the River Wye as part of a partnership project started in July 2007.

River Wye Advice Note (PDF | 1.7MB)

This guidance is intended to protect and enhance the River Wye environment. This note was originally produced to fulfill recommendations made in the River Wye study carried out in 1992.

Listed buildings

Find out about listed buildings.

Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

General information on the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) available from the Chilterns Board website (please see link at bottom of page). The location of Chilterns AONB is shown on the interactive local plan proposals map.

Article 4 Directions

Some building works, such as erection of fences, is classed as "permitted development" and can be carried out without the need for formal Planning Permission from the Council. In situations where such development may harm the character of an area, however, the Council is able to make an "Article 4 Direction". The effect of this direction is to take away "permitted development"rights, meaning that planning permission will be required.

Several plots of agricultural land within the district have been purchased, divided into small plots and offered for sale. To protect the character of the countryside many of these plots of land have been made subject to an Article 4 direction preventing the erection of fences, etc.